flybywire Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Hi! Could you guys give me a few reputable on-line shops that carry ENAMEL Akan paints. If enamel paints are out of stock/circulation, what is the substitute paint to use which could be paint-brushed (I mean same characteristic as the enamels), can acrylic or water-based be a good substitute? I am aware that lacquer paints can't, am I correct? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mfezi Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Just to make sure I understand you correctly: You wanted the AKAN enamel paints (8-series), specifically for hand brushing? If that is your intention, I have brushed some small parts with the AKAN acrylics (7-series) and they brushed very nicely (but I do admit this was only on small areas, such as inside cockpits and on figures). The acrylics can be bought from most online shops as there are few shipping restrictions. If you are in the US, LindenHill is highly recommended. I have actually never tried hand brushing the enamels nor the lacquers, although I have used both quite extensively in the airbrush. So, it is difficult to compare. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EagleAviation Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 You may find the whole range of the AKAN paints here http://www.hobbycolours.com/ They will be happy to assist with any support and recommendations Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Linden Hill Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 We distribute AKAN in North America and the UK. AKAN have told us they are phasing out the 8xxxxx enamel series. It's being replaced by the 7xxxxx lacquer series, which some refer to as enamel. I myself have use a paint brush to apply both the acrylics and also the lacquers. Both coat well. The lacquer is more robust when dry, while the acrylic is more eco-friendly as it doesn't come with the lacquer fumes. http://www.lindenhillimports.com/akan.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Hothersall Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 We distribute AKAN in North America and the UK. AKAN have told us they are phasing out the 8xxxxx enamel series. It's being replaced by the 7xxxxx lacquer series, which some refer to as enamel. I myself have use a paint brush to apply both the acrylics and also the lacquers. Both coat well. The lacquer is more robust when dry, while the acrylic is more eco-friendly as it doesn't come with the lacquer fumes. http://www.lindenhillimports.com/akan.htm I have noticed once things are made eco friendly, they no longer work... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dmanton300 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 I have noticed once things are made eco friendly, they no longer work... ROFL! Never a truer word. "water based acrylic - making airbrushing a miserable gamble for a quarter of a century " Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pep Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Akan acrylics are amazing when airbrushed. I can't recommend them enough. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Linden Hill Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 I have noticed once things are made eco friendly, they no longer work... Let me put it another way. I'm using 'eco-friendly' as shorthand for 'if you spray or brush in a dwelling place with you share with family members, lovers, fellow tenants, etc., acrylic paints don't come with the noxious fumes associated with lacquers/enamels.' I'm working on a Lithuanian Spartan right now using AKAN acrylics only. The kit may be fighting me every inch of the way, but the airbrushing has been painless from the start. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Okay, I'm mildly confused. *All* of their paints are acrylic (IIRC), but they use different thinners and are not mutually compatible. Once and for all, can we get a definitive, concise breakdown of the Akan paint lines? Akan's aqueous paints start with this number: __________ Akan's enamel paints start with this number: __________ Akan's lacquer paints start with this number: __________ Or, perhaps more simply, Akan ____ series are like Mr. Color. Akan ____ series are like Vallejo. Akan ____ series are like Model Master. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 We distribute AKAN in North America and the UK. AKAN have told us they are phasing out the 8xxxxx enamel series. It's being replaced by the 7xxxxx lacquer series, which some refer to as enamel. I myself have use a paint brush to apply both the acrylics and also the lacquers. Both coat well. The lacquer is more robust when dry, while the acrylic is more eco-friendly as it doesn't come with the lacquer fumes. http://www.lindenhillimports.com/akan.htm Wow, a lacquer, are they anything like Mr. Color? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marvin20 Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I have used AKAN acrylics for painting a Hasegawa Su-27 and the paint goes on very well. I'd recommend it to my friends to use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mfezi Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Okay, I'm mildly confused. *All* of their paints are acrylic (IIRC), but they use different thinners and are not mutually compatible. OK, let met try: Akan's aqueous paints start with this number: 7xxxx Akan's enamel paints start with this number: 8xxxx Akan's lacquer paints start with this number: 6xxxx Or, perhaps more simply, Akan 6xxxx series are like Mr. Color. Akan 7xxxx series are like Vallejo. Akan 8xxxx series are like Model Master (NO!!!) On the last one, the Akan 8 series, which are their enamels (apparently being discontinued in future), are not really like Model Master as they still do not thin with MM or other conventional enamel thinners. I use Mr Color Leveling thinner with both the 6xxxx and 8xxxx series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Linden Hill Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Thanks, Mfezi. 10/10. Do not see me after class! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flybywire Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 Thank you guys for all your inputs! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beingthehero Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 A generic post by this point, but yes, I've never had any issues with AKAN's acrylic line, either with spraying or with cleanup. And I do appreciate the lack of fumes when spraying their acrylic paints! They've never clogged my ancient Badger airbrush. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris the cabbie Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 What works best for thinning the acylic based Akan paints? I looked for a thinner and can't seem to locate anything. I dread using water as I have used Acetone to thin my Tamiya paint for years (screw using Tamiya lacquer thinner!) as the paints including gloss spray perfectly! So what is the silver bullet for Akan? Regards, Chris the cabbie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Berkut Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 (edited) I use water to thin Akan, and it both thins and sprays great. Edited April 30, 2016 by Berkut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rex Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Water only works for one of the three Akan Acrylics, though It will gum things up pretty good in the other two. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Berkut Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Yes, i should have made it more clear, acrylics, the 7XXXX line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Akan 6xxxx series are like Mr. Color. Why doesn't anyone appear to have any of the 6 series? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rex Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Linden Hill has them, I remember working past them to get to the "7x" paints that I wanted for my last order. http://www.lindenhillimports.com/akanacryliclacquers.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.